F. R. Rutigliano1, T. M. Bell1, B. L. Zarzaur1 1Indiana University School Of Medicine,Department Of Surgery, Center For Outcomes Research In Surgery,Indianapolis, IN, USA
Introduction: Injured patients are often involved in civil litigation as a result of the circumstances of their injury. Injury, already a stressful time for patients, may be exacerbated by the stress involved in litigation. The purpose of this study was to compare the quality of life of injured patients engaging in compensation litigation to those not engaged in compensation litigation.
Methods: Patients 18 and older admitted with an injury severity score of 10 or greater, but, without a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury were prospectively followed for 1 year. A comprehensive survey was administered at baseline and at 1, 4, 6, and 12 months after injury. The survey included questions about litigation involvement and quality of life (RAND Short Form-36 (SF-36)). Those involved in litigation were compared to those not involved in litigation.
Results:312 patients were recruited and followed for 1 year. Mean age was 39 years, 58% were male, and 63.2% were self employed or employed for wages at the time of injury. 47% engaged in compensation litigation. Patients engaged in litigation were significantly younger than those not engaged in litigation (41 vs 36; p<0.05) and they were significantly less likely to be employed for wages (16.5% vs 6.5% p<0.05) at 4 months after injury. Those involved in litigation had lower SF-36 mental component scores at 1 month, 2 month, and 4 month follow-up (Table). SF-36 Physical component scores were not significantly different between patients involved in litigation and those not involved.
Conclusion:Litigation after injury is associated with worse mental health and unemployment in the first few months after injury. However, litigation was not associated with overall physical health nor injury severity, location, or mechanism. Providers caring for injured patients involved in litigation should be aware of this potential stress and screen for the development of more severe emotional symptoms in these patients.
